PELICAN

Submitted by: Hassan Saeed

(17-ARID-780)
Submitted to: Dr. Zubair Anjum
Pelicans are a genus of large water birds that make up the family Pelecanidae. They
are characterized by a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey and
draining water from the scooped-up contents before swallowing. The eight living
pelican species were traditionally divided into two groups, one containing four ground-
nesters with mainly white adult plumage (Australian, Dalmatian, great white, and
American white pelicans), and one containing four grey- or brown-plumaged species
which nest preferentially either in trees (pink-backed, spot-billed and brown pelicans),
or on sea rocks (Peruvian pelican).

CAHARCTRISTICS
Their weight varies from 3 to 12 kg and their length varies from 1.3 to 1.9 m.

HABITAT
Pelicans are present in a variety of habitats. They are present in the coastal areas as
well as in the inlands. They are present in freshwater lakes, reservoirs and marshes.
They can survive in estuaries and open water wetlands.

DITRIBUTION
Pelicans are present in all the sub continents except Antarctica. . The eight
living pelican species have a patchy global distribution, ranging latitudinal from the
tropics to the temperate zone. They primarily inhabit warm regions, although breeding
ranges extend to latitudes of 45° South (Australian pelicans in Tasmania) and 60°
North (American white pelicans in western Canada). Birds of inland and coastal
waters. They are present in Southern Asia from southern Pakistan across India east to
Indonesia. They are absent from interior South America and from Polar Regions and
the open ocean.

FEEDING
The diet of pelicans usually consists of fish, but occasionally amphibians, turtles,
crustaceans, insects, birds, and mammals are also eaten. The size of the preferred
prey fish varies depending on pelican species and location. For example, in Africa, the
pink-backed pelican generally takes fish ranging in size from fry up to 400g. All
pelican species may feed in groups or alone. They catch multiple small fish by
expanding the throat pouch, which must be drained above the water surface before
swallowing. This operation takes up to a minute, during which time other seabirds
may steal the fish.
BREEDING
At the onset of breeding season, which in the tropic regions is prolonged or
continuous, featherless parts, especially facial skin and the pouch, takes more vivid
coloration. In the male facial skin becomes pale yellow or pinkish while the female
becomes deep orange. This lasts only a few days or until incubation begins. During
this time the birds are very beautiful. The average number of eggs is two and is large,
elongated and chalky white. Both sexes incubate the eggs for 35-37 days and share in
the hatchling care.

BEHAVIOUR
Pelicans swim well with their strong legs and their webbed feet. Holding their wings
only loosely against their bodies, pelicans float with relatively little of their bodies
below the water surface. Adult pelicans rely on visual displays and behavior to
communicate, particularly using their wings and bills. Agonistic behavior consists of
thrusting and snapping at opponents with their bills, or lifting and waving their wings
in a threatening manner. Adult pelicans grunt when at the colony, but are generally
silent elsewhere or outside breeding season. Conversely, colonies are noisy, as chicks
vocalize extensively.